'Spring Rising' blooms on NH scenic byway

General Stark's Spring Rising, featuring a weekend of family-friendly activities and events, will be offered along the General John Stark Scenic Byway, a circular route connecting the towns of Goffstown, Dunbarton, Weare and New Boston.

Weather permitting, programs planned for Saturday and Sunday, April 19-21, will be set against a verdant backdrop of spring blooms, including more than 65,000 daffodils among the four byway communities.

Marking the arrival of spring and the history of the Granite State communities, organizers of the Spring Rising have planned: an open house at the Dunbarton Historical Society and its School House Museum from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days; a spring concert at Dunbarton Congregational Church at 4 p.m. Sunday; an open house at Goffstown Historical Society and Museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, with an exhibition of Colonial artifacts presented by members of The Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution, and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday; "Love Letters," a play starring Dick Backus and Samantha Gorton, at 7:30 p.m. both days at the New Boston Community Church, with a community dinner from 5 to 7 p.m..; and an open house at the Weare Historical Society from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The Scenic Byway was designated in 2008 by the State of New Hampshire. This stretch within Hillsborough County goes along Route 13 from Goffstown's downtown west to New Boston, north along routes 77 and 114 to Weare, east along Route 77 to Dunbarton, and south along Route 13 back to Goffstown. For more information, log onto generalstarkbyway.org.